Wildlife rescuers saved two cygnets which had crash-landed in Colchester’s city centre.
Volunteers of the Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Thorrington were called to the rescue of two young swans on Wednesday.
Rosie Catford, who runs the rescue centre, said: “We had to come to the rescue of two cygnets which got themselves into trouble.
“The first one crash-landed near a busy shopping precinct outside a Chinese restaurant.”
An HGV driver called the rescue centre, who quickly picked up the cygnet, as it was found with a nasty fracture near its femoral growth plate, revealed by an X-ray.
Due to cases of bird flu, the cygnet has been placed in isolation before it can receive surgery at the Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton.
While at the vets, another call came in, reporting a second swan, which turned out to be its sibling, at Colchester Magistrates Court.
Miss Catford said: “Lots of members of the public tried to keep it off the railway tracks.
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“We know this family of swans and cygnets, and they are monitored. As the second one was healthy, we were able to release it.
“The cygnets hatched in late spring or early summer this year. But it is this time of year, when the parents are looking for territory.
“They have cared for the young over the past months and now basically say ‘now, bugger off’.
“Sadly, they mistake roads and car parks for lakes and rivers.
“We have been called out for cygnets which have crash-landed where they shouldn’t have landed every day.”
The rescue has been flooded with calls as members of the public ask for help when they find wildlife in need.
Miss Catford said: “At the moment, the RSPCA don’t respond to wildlife incidents.
“They used to get out and rescue wildlife and bring it to us. But they have not done anything since the beginning of the year, which leaves extreme pressure on us.
“We are going up and down the county and Suffolk for all these rescues, extra on what we normally do.
“Hopefully, the RSPCA will soon be able to respond to rescue calls again.”
Miss Catford reminded residents that this time of year, hedgehogs are having second litters, and that every small hedgehog, which is found wandering around in broad daylight, should be picked up with a towel, placed on a wrapped hot water bottle and immediately brought to the rescue.
Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre can be contacted on 07802 767016.
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